Requirements for Your Finnish Seaman’s Passport Photo
Prepare a correct photo for your Finnish seaman's passport, known as a Merimiespassi. Follow official standards set by the Police of Finland.
Official Size and Framing
A 36 × 47 mm crop is commonly used for this photo, but the cited sources do not give paper-photo width and height[1]. An electronically submitted photo must be exactly 500 × 653 pixels[1].
Your head must measure 32 to 36 mm from crown to chin, with 4 to 6 mm above the crown[1]. These photo requirements do not guarantee that your application will be accepted.
Background and Lighting Requirements
The police instructions require a monochromatic, flat, light, neutral background. Light grey is best, and your face, hair, and clothes must stand out clearly[1].
Avoid busy walls, patterns, or shadows behind you. To get good lighting, face a window with soft, natural daylight. Keep the camera at your eye level and ask someone else to take the picture or use a tripod to avoid blurry angles.
Facial Expression and Glasses
Your facial expression must be neutral and your mouth must be closed[1].
Glasses are allowed if the frames or reflections do not obscure your eyes. Tinted glasses are allowed only for medical reasons[1].
Headwear and Applicant Rules
A scarf or other head covering is allowed only for religious or established-tradition reasons, or when needed for health or medical reasons. It must not cover the face too much or cast shadows on it[1].
The police photo instructions say the same size and positioning requirements apply at all ages[1].
Digital Files and Submission Methods
You can submit a paper photo if you apply at a police service point. A photographer usually sends the digital photo to the police electronically[1].
An electronically submitted photo must be no larger than 250 KB[1].
Preparing Your Image with the Tool Above
You can use the tool above to crop your photo to the proportions used for this photo.
It helps you line up your chin and the top of your head. Once finished, the tool arranges your cropped photo on a standard 4 by 6-inch sheet for printing.
Printing and Avoiding Common Mistakes
If you need a paper copy, you can print the sheet generated by the browser tool at an ordinary photo kiosk as a standard 4 by 6-inch photo print. Always check that the printer does not scale or stretch the image.
The instructions require the correct head dimensions, even lighting, no shadows on the background, and a neutral expression[1]. Check your photo against the instructions before you submit it.
Frequently asked questions
What size must the Finnish seaman’s passport photo be?
A 36 × 47 mm crop is commonly used, but the cited instructions do not give paper-photo width and height. Electronic photos must be exactly 500 × 653 pixels[1].
Can I wear glasses in my seaman’s passport photo?
Glasses are allowed if the frames or reflections do not obscure your eyes. Tinted glasses are allowed only for medical reasons[1].
What background color is required?
Use a monochromatic, flat, light, neutral background. The police say light grey is best[1].
What is the maximum file size for digital submission?
The maximum size for an electronically submitted photo is 250 KB[1].
Are head coverings allowed?
Head coverings are allowed for religious, established-tradition, health, or medical reasons, but must not cover the face too much or cast shadows[1].